Would-be fathers warned over health

Would-be fathers may not be “match fit” to get their partners pregnant, with one in six still smoking and almost five per cent taking drugs like cannabis and cocaine, according to a new poll.

The survey of 500 men and 500 women also found some women were disappointed in their partner’s efforts to get healthy while trying for a baby.

Just 41 per cent of men adopted a healthier diet compared to 59 per cent of women, while 27 per cent of women said they tried to reduce their stress levels compared to just 19 per cent of men.

Overall, 15 per cent of women thought their partner could have done more to improve their chances of conception.

Of these, 48 per cent said their partner could have improved his diet, 44 per cent said he should have exercised more and 37 per cent believed their man drank too much.

Nevertheless, 1.6 per cent of women trying to conceive admitted they still took drugs like cannabis and cocaine.

Overall, 71 per cent of men continued to drink while trying to get their partner pregnant, with 11 per cent drinking more than the recommended 21 units of alcohol a week.

Research has suggested that heavy alcohol consumption can affect the quality of a man’s sperm, alongside other damaging factors such as smoking.

Almost one in five women surveyed (18 per cent) thought sex had become a chore while trying to conceive, compared to 14 per cent of men.

Only 26 per cent of couples thought sex had become more satisfying, while 60 per cent of men optimistically thought it took three months or less to conceive.

Allan Pacey, senior lecturer at the University of Sheffield School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, said: “It’s clear from the survey results that some men really aren’t match fit to start a family and they could do more to increase their chances of becoming a dad.”